O'Connor expands on why he quit.

mkpdavies · 28-04-2008, 12:37 PM

Vote English - Matt O'Connor - London Mayor Candidate 2008

Press Release - 25th April 2008
English Mayoral Candidate Steps Down – New Campaign to Launch

Matt O’Connor, the 41 year-old founder and frontman of Fathers 4 Justice today announced he was stepping down from the London Mayoral Race but will launch a new campaign for England this year.

O’Connor, who works in PR and Marketing, said the party did not have sufficient financial clout to run a credible campaign. When he joined he was told that the funding was in place to make a positive difference but that the reality was somewhat different.

The problems O’Connor discovered were that there was no party machine in London as promised, no advertising budget as promised, and they were economical with the facts about whether we’d be funded by backers. His recent party election broadcast which he organised also had amendments made without his knowledge.

He also struggled with an organisation that didn’t share his ideas and vision as evidenced in the difference between O’Connor’s official Vote English - Matt O'Connor - London Mayor Candidate 2008 site and the main party site.

On one occasion he was called racist and anti-Semitic by a senior member – a claim O’Connor described as ‘absurd’. He is also profoundly disappointed that they are now deliberately trying to smear him whilst at the same time the party was happy for him to stand.

Said O’Connor this morning, ‘It is sad but inevitable that they are trying to cover up their own internal problems. They did not deliver on their part of the agreement. It is extremely regrettable that this happened at this stage but I cannot stay in the party where people say things like that or where we have no sensible funding. I also had a clear vision to raise the issue of an English Parliament which they didn’t share.’

Nadine Taylor, Matt's Campaign Manager resigned several weeks ago because she could not work with the level of incompetence within the party. O'Connor recognises now "that I should have listened to her advice".

‘Descending to abusing somebody who campaigned in the Anti-Apartheid movement would be laughable if it were not so offensive. I am truly sorry for the good men and women in the party that this happened and while I wish the party every success, my record speaks for itself. Fathers 4 Justice has existed for the same amount of time as the English Democrats and F4J is a household name, with more members and wider recognition. The reality is that my resignation may generate more publicity for them than they achieved in the last six years.

‘Later this year I will launch a new campaign to raise issues like Tartan Taxes. Awareness is everything and they would probably stand to benefit from it.’
ENDS

Ea of Dune · 28-04-2008, 12:42 PM

What's the ED's take on this?

Ea of dune

Westcountryman · 28-04-2008, 12:44 PM

Anyone got any popcorn?

mkpdavies · 28-04-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

ENDS - For further information call 07795 547 374

Give him a bell and get the full story.

Ea of Dune · 28-04-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

but will launch a new campaign for England this year.

This actually worries me slightly. The ED's where the largest English Nat party and Matt O'Connor seems to have come along and dealt them a blow in the Mayor election. Then he wasn't allowed to speak at the CEP conference (a good thing). I can only imagine he would have tainted the CEP in the process.
So now he wants to set up his own organisation which will no doubt bring the English movement into disrepute.
I have to say this isn't the best of developments and if you wanted to stretch to the realms of con theory, something smells a bit fishy to me and it isn't just O'Connors mate Captain Morgan.

Ea of dune

Westcountryman · 28-04-2008, 12:51 PM

Yes of course, because the English Democrats are completely beyond reproach.

Ea of Dune · 28-04-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes of course, because the English Democrats are completely beyond reproach. (sarcastic)

Sorry in regard to which part of my post was that aimed at?

Ea of dune

Rebirth · 28-04-2008, 12:53 PM

Never trust anyone who considers themselves as a Celt, or even part Celt to be part of the pro-England movement.

Ea of Dune · 28-04-2008, 12:55 PM

I think it's more to do with his ego then being a celt.

Ea of dune

Rebirth · 28-04-2008, 01:29 PM

Perhaps, but the fact is O'Connor considered himself as part Celt now means he has widened the gap. He rips people off when they are vulnerable from what I can gather from ex-f4j members.

28-04-2008, 12:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,615	O'Connor expands on why he quit. Vote English - Matt O'Connor - London Mayor Candidate 2008 Press Release - 25th April 2008 English Mayoral Candidate Steps Down – New Campaign to Launch Matt O’Connor, the 41 year-old founder and frontman of Fathers 4 Justice today announced he was stepping down from the London Mayoral Race but will launch a new campaign for England this year. O’Connor, who works in PR and Marketing, said the party did not have sufficient financial clout to run a credible campaign. When he joined he was told that the funding was in place to make a positive difference but that the reality was somewhat different. The problems O’Connor discovered were that there was no party machine in London as promised, no advertising budget as promised, and they were economical with the facts about whether we’d be funded by backers. His recent party election broadcast which he organised also had amendments made without his knowledge. He also struggled with an organisation that didn’t share his ideas and vision as evidenced in the difference between O’Connor’s official Vote English - Matt O'Connor - London Mayor Candidate 2008 site and the main party site. On one occasion he was called racist and anti-Semitic by a senior member – a claim O’Connor described as ‘absurd’. He is also profoundly disappointed that they are now deliberately trying to smear him whilst at the same time the party was happy for him to stand. Said O’Connor this morning, ‘It is sad but inevitable that they are trying to cover up their own internal problems. They did not deliver on their part of the agreement. It is extremely regrettable that this happened at this stage but I cannot stay in the party where people say things like that or where we have no sensible funding. I also had a clear vision to raise the issue of an English Parliament which they didn’t share.’ Nadine Taylor, Matt's Campaign Manager resigned several weeks ago because she could not work with the level of incompetence within the party. O'Connor recognises now "that I should have listened to her advice". ‘Descending to abusing somebody who campaigned in the Anti-Apartheid movement would be laughable if it were not so offensive. I am truly sorry for the good men and women in the party that this happened and while I wish the party every success, my record speaks for itself. Fathers 4 Justice has existed for the same amount of time as the English Democrats and F4J is a household name, with more members and wider recognition. The reality is that my resignation may generate more publicity for them than they achieved in the last six years. ‘Later this year I will launch a new campaign to raise issues like Tartan Taxes. Awareness is everything and they would probably stand to benefit from it.’ ENDS __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

28-04-2008, 12:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Westcountryman Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Westcountry. Posts: 5,698 Party: Libertarian Party	Anyone got any popcorn? __________________ Porthemmet Beach

28-04-2008, 12:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Westcountryman Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Westcountry. Posts: 5,698 Party: Libertarian Party	Yes of course, because the English Democrats are completely beyond reproach. __________________ Porthemmet Beach

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

28-04-2008, 12:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ea of Dune Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hell Posts: 875	What's the ED's take on this? Ea of dune

28-04-2008, 12:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rebirth Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 353	Never trust anyone who considers themselves as a Celt, or even part Celt to be part of the pro-England movement.

28-04-2008, 12:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ea of Dune Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hell Posts: 875	I think it's more to do with his ego then being a celt. Ea of dune

28-04-2008, 01:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rebirth Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 353	Perhaps, but the fact is O'Connor considered himself as part Celt now means he has widened the gap. He rips people off when they are vulnerable from what I can gather from ex-f4j members.